A new blog?? Maybe...

Starting to blog https://anoceanblue.wordpress.com/ not sure if it will last - we'll see.  Doesn't mean this ones dead, just experimenting!

Its been a few months of firsts...

I got bored of blogging so it’s been all but forgotten. Thankfully my bike and I have seen a lot of each other and here’s a wee update!

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1. Did my first ever 40 mile journey ever

2. Did my first ever 50 mile journey ever

3. Did my first 30 miles @ an average of 15mph

4. Did my first spin class & loved it.

5. Completed my first sportive (62 miles & a personal best for distance)

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It’s been a massive spring and talk is we may do another sportive at the end of August called “Lap The Lough” at 81 miles. Loving my cycling and wishing I could get back to loving the blog. The only bad point is that my weight loss is a mess. I’m now 18st 4.5lbs, that’s nearly a stone heavier since Easter. Bizarre I know, I wish it wasn’t but it is and this week and seen a renewed focus on lossin it again!

Kettlebell...

I bought one of these today - what have I done lol ;-)

My weight today

17st 6.75lbs (244.75lbs)
1.25lb lost - 28.5lbs lost since January (273.25lbs)

* 2 Stone lost since January!!! YOOOOOOOO

My weight today...

17st 8lbs (246lbs)
1.5lb lost - 27.25lbs lost since January (274.25lbs)

Video Log... (No. 3)

What a great start to the week. It was windy & raining but I managed to do over 30 miles at an avg of 14.7 mph, thats a personal best and I'm over the moon with it.

My weight today...

17st 9.5lbs (247.5lbs)
1lb lost - 25.75lbs lost since January (274.25lbs)

*Expected more but thats the breaks...

Video Log... (No. 2)

A wee update on the first ride of the new training schedule (see below). I discovered that cycling on tow paths & on a turbo trainer hasn't done me a hugh pile of favors and that you can actually ride in the wind & the rain!

* For more details on the heel injury see the link below.

Video Log... (No. 1)

Ok so the camera is awful and so is the accent but I thought I would give it a rattle just for the craic... enjoy! If I like it I may run with it for a while we'll see...

*Heel injury = Plantar Fasciitis

Is this the one...

Week 1 2 x 20 – 25 mins Sat or Sun: 1 ½ hours Week 2 2 x 30 – 40 mins Sat or Sun: 2 hours (25-35 miles) Week 3 2 x 10 miles Sun: 25 – 35 miles Week 4 2 x 10 – 15 miles Fri: 5 miles Sat: 30 – 40 miles (2-2 ½ hours) Week 5 Mon: 8 – 10 miles Tues: 10-15 miles Thurs: 10-15 miles Sun: 40-50 miles Week 6 Mon: 10 miles easy recovery Tues: 15-20 miles Thurs: 15-20 miles Sun: 45-55 miles Is this the training schedule I've been looking for?

Week 7 Tues: 20-25 miles Thurs: 20-25 miles Sun: 50-60 miles Week 8 Mon: 10 miles easy recovery Weds: 15 miles Sat: 20-25 miles Sun: 55-65 miles Week 9 Tues: 15 miles Thurs: 25 miles Sat: 45 – 55 miles Sun: 60 – 70 miles THE WEEK BEFORE YOU GO! Mon: 10 miles Tues: 5 miles Weds: 10 miles Thurs: 5 miles Fri: Rest

Getting ready for "Coastal Challenge"...

We are now 11 weeks away from my sportive and I’m one minute riddled with doubt, the next minute fearless and then everything in between all day long. It’s ridiculous. I’ve been doing some serious enough training but I feel distracted by various conflict training notions, fears of injury, and an incredibly sore saddle so to speak, the pressure of work and of course the flaming weather. At times my mind is like living in a washing machine.

I’ve lost 25lbs since January so I’m a very happy bunny but whilst my weekly mile count has beaten many personal bests and now sits between 80-90 each week my speed has slowed down and I’m frustrated. I love the pushing the boundaries but with it comes tiredness & a sore butt. Last week to give my butt a break, I reintroduced swimming to my work out and a little walking. The time away from the saddle was very welcome; however you can’t help but feel that the only way to crack this nut is through time in the saddle and for that time to be on the road.

I think I need to man up & dump the turbo training. I need to improve my strength, stamina & speed and the turbo seems not to be delivering. Now I know there are ways to get it to do so however there is two main stumbling blocks to that. Firstly it’s now spring and I want to get out more and secondly when I’m on the turbo I always want to fat burn which whilst I need to be a lot lighter it won’t will deliver the attributes I need for the sportive.

I need to give a training schedule some serious thought. However I’m not great with schedules and my lifestyle doesn’t lend itself easily to it. Hence the overdependence on the turbo. Can you see my dilemma?

Bottom line is I need to quit the gurning and get out on the road. I need to remember the motto of my beloved Linfield FC – Fortune favors the brave…

My weight today

17st 10.5lbs (248.5lbs)
3.25lbs lost - 24.75lbs lost since January (273.25lbs)

*Nearly forgot about my blog (lol) so much has happened over the past few weeks, must get back to keeping it regular!

My weight today...

17st 13.75lbs (251.75lbs)
3.75lbs lost this week - 21.5lbs lost since January (273.25lbs)

Smashing a glass ceiling...

I’m kind of scared to go public with this bit of news as I’m terrified of failure, however I need to commit to it to achieve a result and so going public with it on the blog should help. (Takes deep breath) The news is I’ve registered for my first ever public cycling event “The Bangor Coastal Challenge” run by North Down Cycling Club. I’ve wanted to do this event for some time but in previous years as a result of the fear I’ve put lots of self imposed hurdles in the way. In some respects at 100K it isn’t massive compared to what some of my blogging mates have done but for me its 22 miles more than my personal best. I seem to hit a glass ceiling at around 30 miles where I just conk out. I’ve been victim of it for two years now but it needs to go. More & more of my mates have taken up cycling and I want to get out with them. To do so I will need more speed & stamina and training for this event should really help. Watch this space.

*Should you have any advice or helpful tips I'd really apreciate you passing them on!

My weight today...

18st 3.5lbs (255.5lbs)
2.75lbs lost this week - 17.75lbs lost since January (273.25lbs)

This weeks tactics...

1. Cycle a minimum of 50 miles (indoor and/or outdoor).

2. Do a set of 3 thirty second planks at the start & end of training.

3. Keep drinking plenty of fluids.

4. Increase sit ups to 6 sets of 20.

5. Increase weights to 6 sets of 9.

6. Refuse to buy junk for others – it always ends in me sharing in it.

7. Urgently consider how to increase protein intake.

8. Stay away from potatoes.

9. Try and fit a swim in

10. Blog more!

My weight today

18st 6.25lbs (258.25lbs)
3.25lbs lost this week - 15.25lbs lost since January

My weight today...

18st 9.5lbs (261.5lbs)
12lbs lost since January

Tactics this week..

1. Cycle a minimum of 40 miles this week on the turbo trainer

2. Do weights & sit ups 4 days this week

3. Ensure I do 2 sets of 30 seconds of the plank 4 times this week

4. Ban both the personal eating & purchase of chocolate, crisps, chips, ice cream

5. Minimal lunch – fruit or a plain sandwich on brown bread

6. Small portion at tea time – avoiding potatoes.

7. Try to focus on increasing my protein intake – give this some strategic thought for next week

*Experiment with training twice a day if I get the opportunity.

My weight today...

18st 11.5lbs (263.5lbs)
5lbs of this week & 10lbs since early of January

I'm a happy lad - lets have more of the same please!

My weight today...

19st 2.5lbs (268.5lbs)
No movement this week but not bad considering I had only two training sessions due to time constraints and I ate a few treats. Happy enough...

New banner?

Anyone fancy helping me with a new banner for this old blog? I know I need to get my act together with bloggin as its been poor to say the least for a while - a new banner may be the thing that may relaunch me into the world of blog!

My weight today...

19st 2.5lbs (268.5lbs)
5.25lbs off in the month of January!

My weight today...

19st 4.25lbs (270.25lbs)
3.5lbs lost since I restarted earlier this month!

My weight today...

19st 5.5lbs (271.5lbs)
2.25lbs lighter than last week! Delighted ;-)

Last weeks targets were a little hit and miss due to injury. The 2 hours on the turbo was achieved and seems to have helped but the walks were a no go area as my foot wasn't having it! (see article below) This weeks goals to be published a little later!

Back to basics...

If this past year has taught me anything it’s that I have I’m dangerously conflicted. Physically speaking I’m injury prone and with a low pain threshold. Psychologically I’m prone to losing form and self belief. Put injuries and mental wobbliness together and you get a formidable opponent in the fight to lose weight. Between knee, hip & foot injuries and an eating bender the likes of which I’ve rarely seen I’ve taken a hell of a beating over the past 6 months.

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Given my lack of focus, considerable weight gain and loss of fitness I’ve decided to return to basics with small goals and build momentum up safely and in a way that is hopefully free of injury. I don’t want to under challenge myself but equally I’m sick to death of injuries. So today thanks to Gaz & the nagging of my mate Jeremy I’m back on the wagon and I’m setting goals for this week

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Goals for this week

1. Train 3 times on the Turbo trainer (2 hours in total)
2. Walk twice
3. Ban Crisps, Chocolate, Ice cream

Injury prone...

Reviewing the past year has highlighted that at 37 I’m starting to become injury prone (how old do I sound). Last April I wrecked a knee as I started to use clipless pedals for the first time, it took 8 – 9 weeks to heal and cost a fortune in physio. September seen Hip Flexor hell break out and in early December I got a foot condition called Plantar Fasciitis. As I understand it I’ve damaged the arch of my foot where it joins my heel. Every time I put weight on my foot its like someone is drilling up into my heel whilst putting my arch under a blow torch. As I move and the foot stretches the tore ligaments there is all hell to pay. What ever I do from here on in I need to give careful consideration to avoiding injury. (More to come over the next few days)
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My weight today

19st 7.75lbs (273.75lbs)
Half a pound on - at least weight gain has slowed down!

My weight today

19st 7.25lbs (273.25lbs)
Time to get real. For the last 6 months I have lost my way, time to find the wagon and climb back on it!

Happy New Year!

"The past is for reference not for residence, today is time to reflect on what to let go of that is not working for you & to embrace what will..." Kriss Akabusi would ya believe

Merry Christmas lovies...

See ya for a more earnest effort in 2011, have a great Christmas!

My weight today...

18st 11.5lbs (263.5lbs)
1.5lbs heavier than last week

Going the wrong direction... least said the better!

Struggling with the struggle

Since the summer I’ve had more false starts than enough and its starting to get on my nerves. I can’t find my groove so to speak and I seem to have lost my passion for cycling! I could blame the cold, my busy timetable or yet more injuries all of which hold merit but none of which help you lose weight. I know my form will return but the more I want them to the further away it seem to get. I’m a ball of frustration and the more frustrated I get the more I want to eat. The more I eat the more weight I put on and the more frustrated I get and so the process goes round and round. Self loathing also seems to have dramatically increased, it ain’t pretty. It’s time for a rethink as the New Year approaches and its time for the pity party to stop. I need to get out for a walk into the mountains and carve out a new strategy. I want to be fitter than last year and 2 stone lighter for spring! I’ll let you know how I get on.

My weight today...

18st 10lbs (262lbs)
1.25lbs heavier than last week

Strugglin =(

Hips as tight as the current weather!

The current weather being -12 these days! Not sure whats up but with the return to some moderate training my hips are given me the message especially in the mornings. Time to investigate some stretches...

My weight today...

18st 8.75lbs (260.75lbs)
5lbs lighter than last week
*Cycling in the snow must be paying off! =)

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Cancel that last post... I got feed up with this blog, went to a new blog format which I didn't like, stopped cycling for a variety of reasons none of which on reflection were significant enough and put on roughly 2 stone. What can I say - why fix something that wasn't broken, I'm back and its onwards and upwards...

But darn its -10 out there... (Reaches for the dusty turbo trainer)

Released & moving...

Whilst I've loved bloggin about my weight loss campaigns I've had a growning frustration that I want to blog about more than them... So I now have a general blog which will chart everything from cycling to book reviews from weight loss to fishing... "Being released" has been good but its time for something new!

We may return but I somehow doubt it! My new address is http://thepmslogbook.tumblr.com/

Thanks again for all your support, I'm being complete genuine when I say I've deeply appreciated it all!

* Do me a wee favor please and if your blog is linked to mine change the link to my new one - ta!

Blogging

It’s been a sparse two years in the land of blog and so it is with some surprise that I find myself missing it this morning. My mood has been unusually reflective of late and perhaps that is what’s brought me back to blogging. I now wonder in this season of my life if I need to I run two blogs? It used to make sense but not so sure it does now or that there is the energy for it. Is it time for an all new one that combines everything? In my weaker moments I used to worry that I would get less traffic if I changed my address or made any radical changes. However on reflection blogging is not really about traffic, whilst traffic is a nice stroke of the ego blogging is more about giving oneself the healthy therapeutic space to engage in some reflection. Watch this space there maybe some changes a comin…

My weight today...

18st 9lbs (261lbs)
3.75lbs heavier than last month - 42lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

* Enough is enough back to the hamster wheel & rabbit food from today!

My weight today...

18st 4.25lbs (256.25lbs)
13.75lbs heavier than last month - 46.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

* Holidays over its back on the weight loss trail!

My weight today... (wooooo)

17st 4.5lbs (242.5lbs)
2lbs lighter than last week - 60.5lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

*Back to my lightest ever and back to having lost 60lbs!! Feels really good although the next fornight will see unavoidable weight gain as I work away from home etc. That said I'm chuffed to bits.

A brief run through of the past wee while...

Life has been a little intense over the past week or so and blogging has had to take a back seat for a bit – here are the highlights of the aforementioned time period!

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- I've been aiming to do 30 miles in 2 hours hitting an average of 15mph but as yet have failed to achieve it. On Tuesday I was out for a 27 mile run and in the first hour did 15 miles... BIG result for me especially consider the route was quite hilly!

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- On Wednesday I had my heart monitored for 24 hours due to an ongoing complaint of a thumping heart beat at night. Results out next week.

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- I rode 40 miles today and set a personal best for mileage.

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- The weight/fat gathered around and above my hips seems to be reducing – happy days and at long last.

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- I bought a bandana for below my helmet to protect my baldy head when out cycling. The minute I did the rain arrived.

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- Talking of helmets I found a crack in my current one and need to replace it. Raging as its only 10 years old ;-)

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- I found a website that people in Northern Ireland actually sell their used bikes through – is a winter bike around the corner for me?

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- I was confused today for being part of a cycling club – what a compliment!

My weight today...

17st 6.5lbs (244.5lbs)
1.75lbs lighter than last week - 58.5lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

*I knew yesterdays weigh in didn't make sense - onwards and upwards!
**Another 2lbs to go and I will be back to the lightest yet of this campaign, beyond that is virgin territory so to speak...

My weight today...

17st 8lbs (246lbs)
0.25lbs lighter than last week - 57lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

* Beat my personal best milage yesterday with a 35 miler... Report will maybe follow later!

With a little help from my friends...

One of the things that have really struck me over the past few days has been the role of friends in this journey. Whether cyber friends or real friends you have played both a central and crucial role. Complementing the essential role my immediate family has played and for which I thank God for every day there’s been

Jamie Greer (above), a mate who trained with me regularly for my first six or so months. We swam, hit the gym and even got out for the odd bike run. Life made differing demands upon us and so we now don’t train together but his constant support and understanding got me of the sandbank of obesity upon which I had rested on for years.

Jeremy Biggerstaff (forgive the dodgy football top - scumball), a life time friend who decided to dig his very old mountain bike out of the garage one night for a laugh so he could go with me. That transformed from a one night only experience, to once a week, to twice a week and he now is the proud owner of a full carbon Limited Edition Team Boardman bike and is regularly doing 60+ miles a week.

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Brian Rutledge, the last time I spoke to Brian was over 6 years ago but yesterday completely by chance we met. From talking we realised that we now live close by, both have developed an interest in cycling and we now plan to head out soon. I just know that this friendship will be a very significant one for the journey as Brian is one of the nicest most positive and level headed people I have ever met.

Charlie Knox (above), a friend who has a first class honors degree in Sports Science and who every now and then sits me down and gives me a dose of common sense. This has been invaluable during the times when I’ve doubted myself or have been pushing myself too hard.

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Then there is my cyber friends which to be fair have played an equally significant role, if not more so. I owe a particular debt of gratitude to Gaz who has been an inspiration from close to the start. We have challenged each other, been of support and have even competed in weight loss competitions and yet we have never met.

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More recent there has been a number of cyber friends who have been great at getting me blog again and share in the journey of mutual accountability. There is Toby, Christie and the Welsh Cyclist not to mention the other bloggers whose blog I read frequently.

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Without all of this support I think to be fair I wouldn’t have made. Without the inspiration and boost in confidence you all have provided I believe I would be putting weight on not losing it. So its grateful heart I say thanks – lets keep journeying on together…

My weight today...

17st 8.25lbs (246.25lbs)
3lbs lighter than last week - 56.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

* A hard weeks work paid off!

Quit when you're ahead...

This morning I woke up to find my legs have that uncomfortable muscular bussing going on. Not quite stiffness in its traditional painful format but more like hung-over with fatigue. It quite hard to describe now I put my mind to it but those cyclists reading this will no doubt know the sensation I’m talking about.

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Today I had a recovery ride of 18 miles planned which would have taking me nicely to my weekly target of 60. You know something but my legs aren’t up to it and I suspect it would have ended up being a bit of a chore. Once something becomes a chore you’re into dangerous territory which risks robbing you of motivation and passion.

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So today’s a rest day and tomorrow I hope to fit in a wee turbo session before or after work. On a high note the Halfords Tour series hits the streets of Belfast tonight and I can’t wait. Look out for me amongst the spectators on TV – so excited!

Smiled all the way home...

For over a year I’ve wondered what it would be like to complete a 30 mile bike ride. If I’m honest I have been way too timid and lacking in belief in my own abilities. I’ve shied away from challenging myself and as a result have been under challenging myself with runs of 20 - 25 miles. I watch in awe as my mates complete 70 miles and upwards in one journey. I’ve spent hours dreaming of being as fit as that as I stay within safe limits for fear of failure, making a fool of myself and injury.

Today seen a personal best of 26 miles broke and a new record set at 30. An old mate of mine and I set out this morning to cycle along the Lagan Towpath, across the city centre (Belfast) and up Belfast Lough to Jordanstown and then back. What a morning we got, the weather was beautiful! The conversation was good and the miles just seemed to fly by. I’ve been training hard over the past three weeks and today it paid off. I loved it! Even when we hit a fairly serious hill at around 18 miles my legs and lungs were strong – I was chuffed to bits!!

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As we set back on the journey home my butt was complaining and my quads were joining in towards the end but nothing like I thought they would be. As my mate left the path to cycle home he shared that the pace I had set had been a challenge to him. Now to be fair here’s were I get a little angry with myself. This was our first ride out together simply because I feared his fitness and speed. As I pondered what he had said I had a massive grin from one ear to another. The glass ceiling of 30 has eventually been broken. Here’s to breaking 40 soon!!

Melt down?

What is it about the roads in Northern Ireland that on a mildly hot day the roads start to melt? 18 degrees and my bike is covered in tower – irritating as get out!

Back on the turbo and into the fat burning zone...

Morning folks! The plan was to train this morning at 6am but as I woke unusually late at 6.30am I gave it a miss. I did the school run and then jumped on my turbo trainer. I’m now participating in a new weight loss competition with an old friend to see who can lose 10lbs the fastest. He has a strong record with this beating me 2-3 times in the past. I’m desperate for the win so I thought I would mix into my exercise regime a little training in the fat burning zone. So out came the Turbo trainer and on went the heart monitor – I’m not sure I buy the theory of it but desperate times call for desperate measures! ;-)

Time for a strategic rethink...

In reviewing my progress or lack thereof I feel that my evening meal is consistently were it all goes to pot. In the first year when I was regularly losing weight I had programmed myself to run a tight ship all day but at my evening meal to eat as much as I wanted as long as it was healthy. To be fair this worked for a time but seems to have stopped and perhaps for longer than I care to admit.

I have always loved potatoes. It doesn’t really matter what shape or format they come in I’m your man for demolishing a pile or two of them. On reflection I need to get my evening meal under control and one of the ways I can see to do that is to ban the potato. So this week I’m going to give it a go. Even as I write this I can feel fear and insecurity coming on. Do I have the will power to say no? How will I cope without my comfort blanket? I guess you will have to continue to tune in to find out…

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Thanks again for your support and for reading this again!

My weight today...

17st 11.25lbs (249.25lbs)
Same as last week - 53.75lbs lighter than Aug '08 (303lbs)

*If I'm honest with myself there was two or three slip ups this week so I should really be happy with this result.

This is what it's all about...

I’ve been trying lately to include some new routes in my training. To see new sights and to take the bike to places I’m fond of but have never cycled. Around two years ago shortly after I decided to get back on the bike I was challenged to do a route round Strangford and south down for charity. It scared me silly and so I offered my excuses and chickened out of it. Having worked in the area for many years I knew the terrain and in my ignorance thought I would never see the day when I was fit enough to cycle through it. Yesterday I decided to put that right.

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I threw my road bike into the car and drove to Downpatrick, parking at the Quoile Basin. I did my stretches and off I set. Now I did 26 miles on my mountain bike on Wednesday and I went at it hard, I thought my legs had recovered but at this point it was obvious they hadn’t. It was like cycling through treacle; don’t ask me to explain this but going down hill felt slower than going up. Thankfully three or four miles into it my legs freed themselves up a bit and their performance returned to normal. As I approached my first target Strangford I hit a large decent. It seemed to go on forever and the fear started to grow as I thought about having to go back up it. As I dropped into the village the sight of the sea was very welcome.

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A warm and fussy hit as the sense of achievement struck me. To be honest I never thought I’d see the day when I had the courage to cycle round these parts and I certainly never thought it would be on such a class act as my beautiful blue Trek Madone. I stood on the harbour for a while soaking in the sun, solitude and tranquillity.

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Not wanting my legs to re-seize I jumped on the bike and started to head for my next target town of Ardglass. Dreading the hill in front of me I was delighted to see a sign post off to the left for Ardglass and even better it was before I started to climb and it would be on the coastline. A no brainer I decided to take it. The scenery was absolutely gorgeous! This is what it’s all about, beautiful scenery, no cars and none of the demands being made of everyday life. I was enjoying myself when the road forked. There was a sign for Ballyhornan at 3 miles which continued down the coast and a sign for Ardglass at 6 miles through the countryside. My heart said Ballyhornan but my head thought it better to be safe than sorry. My lower back was starting to ache and I thought it better not to risk a detour that may add an unknown quantity of extra miles. On I went down the road for Ardglass, nice enough but I missed the coastal scenery which had been keeping me company for the past few miles. My back was really starting to hurt as I clocked mile 17 and so I was delighted to see the outline of Ardglass on the horizon.

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As I cycled through the town on route for the marina all I could smell was chips. I was sooo tempted as all the reasons of the day why I should partake in some hit me. Thankfully I declined the temptation and focused on taking some fluids on board. It was at this point I thought I would take the opportunity to tighten up my rear brake. Up to this point it was weak but still useful, however after I had finished it was totally useless. Embarrassed by my lack of ability to get even a simple mechanical task right I jumped back on my bike to return to Downpatrick where I had left the car. The wind was starting to get up and the sun was starting to blaze.

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There was another 7 or 8 mile in front of me on what I remembered was a relatively flat road. It was until the last 3 miles. What a hill greeted me as I approached the Down Hospital. My back was now screaming blue murder in similar way to the Orange Lamborghini which had just accelerated hard past me. I’m glad to say I made it but what goes up must come down and with no back brake it was going to be interesting. As I negotiated the back streets of Downpatrick I said a silent prayer for journeying mercies, a prayer request I have often heard old men ask for but rarely used myself. Somehow it seemed appropriate as a headphone wearing road repair man walked in front of me. I just managed to avoid him and we exchanged relief filled smiles.

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As I cycled back up Quoile I was delighted to see my car still there patiently waiting for me. I ate the banana; plum and apple I had left in the car, did my stretches and drove home with one of the biggest smiles I’ve had on my face for a long time. I had taken on a route that had intimidated me for some time and won. A happy day and another 26 miles notched up making a total of 62 for the week!

In a nutshell...

Thanks Toby, I loved it so much I had to nab it off your blog!
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T'was me or the dog...

I picked the dog. I was cycling down the towpath on my way to work last Wednesday mumbling as I went about the lack of intelligent pedestrians. Suddenly this dog and its mate ripped up the path chasing one another. They where right in my path and so I slowed way down focused on the dogs at the expense of everything else. Suddenly I came to remember that my feet were still connected to my pedals but as that thought hit me it was to late and I fell over on my side. Kind off reminded me of that famous scene of Del-boy falling through the gap in the wine bar. It’s funny now but as you can imagine my mutterings didn’t stop for a while after!